FAQ
I would like to apply for research funding. What sort of funding does the SNF offer?
The SNF offers the following types of funding:
- Project funding (independent basic research as well as national and international research programmes
- Funding for individual researchers (fellowships, international short research visits, funding for the support of women academics, SNF assistsant professorships, etc.)
- Publication grants
- Conference grants
- Special funding programmes (R'EQUIP, FORCE, DORE, cohorts, etc.)
For detailed information see:
Funding
Targeted researchCalls for funding applicationsWho can apply to the SNF for funding?
Basically any scientist (male and female) working in Switzerland regardless of their nationality can apply for funding from the SNF. The requirements as regards to scientific qualifications, age limits, individual research experience, etc. vary depending on the type of funding selected. These requirements are outlined in detail in the information for individual funding programmes, or with the respective calls for applications.
For detailed information see:
Funding
Targeted research
Calls for funding applications
What are the deadlines for submission of applications?
Applications for project grants for independent, thematically non-predefined basic research (relevant to divisions I, II and III) can be submitted on 1 March or 1 October. For all other types of funding, the specific deadlines are listed in the descriptions of each individual funding programme or given in each announcement for applications.
For detailed information see:
Funding
Targeted research
Calls for funding applications
How does the SNF evaluate applications for funding? Who decides which applications will be approved or rejected?
SNF funding is granted on a competitive basis (through peer review); all applicants have the same chances of gaining approval for funding. The most important selection criterion is scientific quality. The applications are assessed by the National Research Council (divisions I, II, III and IV), which bases its decisions on the evaluations made by a panel of external, usually international, experts. For targeted research programmes, permanent experts or a steering committee make recommendations to the Research Council (which makes the final decisions), thus guaranteeing consistent monitoring of quality and success rates. Recommendations for approval or rejection of funding at the individual divisional levels become legally binding after they are formally ratified by the presidium of the National Research Council. The SNF’s decisions can be appealed through the Federal Administrative Court.
Detailed information: How to apply (PDF)
I have a specific question about submitting an application for funding. Who can I contact?
For questions about project funding in the categories of independent basic research and conference funding, contact the administrative offices of the relevant division:
-
Division I: Humanities and Social Sciences
(E-mail:
div1@snf.ch)
-
Division II: Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences
(E-mail:
div2@snf.ch)
-
Division III: Biology and Medicine
(E-mail:
div3@snf.ch)
For questions about project funding for national and international funding programmes:
For questions about fellowships:
For questions concerning interdisciplinary and cooperative research
Addresses, telephone and e-mail: See "contact" for each funding programme
Where do I find application and report forms to download?
Links for all necessary downloads are located at the respective page for each type of funding.
Detailed information:
Funding
Targeted research
International Co-operation
I was requested to submit a lay summary about my project. Can I send it electronically?
Details about submitting a lay summary can be found at:
Lay summary and keywords
How can I become informed about the various SNF’s funding opportunities?
You can find a database on our website with all the research projects supported by the SNF since 1975.
For detailed information see: Project database
In the "News" section on our website you can find the latest information about SNF research policy, SNF funding programmes, and current scientific activities.
For detailed information see: Current
Three times a year "SNFinfo print" informs you about SNF research policy and funding programmes.
For detailed information see: SNFinfo print
The "Newsletter" is directed at scientific researchers and provides monthly information by e-mail regarding calls for applications, events, publications, press releases and interesting facts from the SNF and the Swiss research community.
For detailed information see: Newsletter
Every three months the research magazine "Horizonte2 (in German or French), with its attractive layout, presents SNF-supported research projects to the wider public and covers interesting topics from the worlds of science and research.
For detailed information see: Horizons
You can also order various informative brochures directly from us, and our press releases provide insights into current or completed research work.
For details see: Publications
Various research programmes provide information about specific issues and funding updates on their own websites.
For details see: Targeted research
How can I ensure that I do not overlook any calls for applications for research funding programmes?
Our Newsletter updates you on a monthly basis about any newly opened SNF calls for submissions of applications.
Subscribe to Newsletter
Where can I find information on Open-Access or to the SNSF requirements with respect to Open-Access publications?
Detailed information on Open Access and the associated SNSF guidelines can be found under:
Current > Dossiers > Open Access
Should I file my research application to the Agency for Innovation Promotion (KTI) or to the SNSF? How do the two institutions differ?
The KTI promotes market-oriented R&D projects that companies carry out in cooperation with schools of higher education. The objective is to ensure that more companies employ the R&D resources of educational institutions for their own innovations. Furthermore, the KTI promotes the foundation and development of growth-oriented companies. The KTI enables young individuals to successfully become entrepreneurs thanks to its practically oriented education and training programmes. www.kti-cti.ch
In contrast to the KTI, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) primarily supports scientific research focused on new knowledge and not on immediate commercial application. Information on funding opportunities of the SNSF: see above.
We would be pleased to advise you in the event of uncertainties regarding the responsibility of the SNSF and KTI. If an application is filed to the "wrong" institution, we will consult with the applicant.
What is mySNF?
mySNF is the web platform of the Swiss National Science Foundation, which is designed to facilitate the submission of applications in electronic form. A new user account must be requested on the website www.mysnf.ch at least 5 working days before a deadline, for the SNSF to guarantee access in time. However researchers will also continue to have the option of submitting their application by post.
In the months ahead, mySNF will be gradually extended to create a comprehensive platform for interactions between the SNF and its external partners (researchers, research council members, experts). www.mysnf.ch
Where can I find information on the Overhead of the SNSF?
Detailed information on the Overhead and the associated regulations of the SNSF can be found under:
Current > Dossiers > Overhead
Where can I find information on the topic «Scientific Integrity»?
Detailed information on the topic «Scientific Integrity» and the associated regulations of the SNSF can be found under:
Current > Dossiers > Scientific Integrity